Lt W B Rhodes-Moorhouse - Victoria Cross WW1 RFC

Digest of Citation reads:

On 26 April 1915 at Cortrai, Belgium, Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorehouse swept low over the rail junction which he had been ordered to attack. He released his 100lb. bomb, but was immediately plunged into a heavy barrage of small arms fire from rifles and machine-gun in the belfry of Cortrai Church, he was severely wounded by a bullet in his thigh and his plane was also badly hit. Returning to the Allied lines, he again ran into heavy fire from the ground and was wounded twice more. He managed to get his aircraft back, and insisted on making his report before being taken to Casualty Clearing Station where he Died on the next day.

VICTORIA CROSS, 1914/15 STAR, WW1 WAR MEDAL and WW1 VICTORY MEDAL

The medals of Lieutenant William B Rhodes-Moorehouse VC (26 September 1887 - 27 April 1915). He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during World War 1.

VICTORIA CROSS

Introduced as the premier award for gallantry, available for all ranks, to cover all actions since the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854. A cross pattee. On the observe a lion statant gardant on the royal crown, with the words FOR VALOUR on a semi-circular scroll. The Cross is suspended by a ring from a seriffed 'V' attached to a suspension bar decorated with laurel leaves. Crimson ribbon

1914/15 STAR

It was awarded to all personnel who served in a any theater of war against the enemy between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. A crowned four-pointed star with crossed swords and a wreath of oak leaves, having the royal cypher at the foot and a central scroll inscribed 1914-15. Ribbon is watered silk red, white and blue.

BRITISH WAR MEDAL

This medal was instituted to record the successful conclusion of the First World War.The observe has the uncrowned left-facing profile of King George V and on the reverse, St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of Central Powers and a skull and cross-bones, the emblems of death. Ribbon is orange watered centre with stripes of white and black at each side and borders of royal blue.

VICTORY MEDAL

This is commonly known as the Allied War Medal because the same basic design and ribbon were adopted thirteen other Allied nations. The observe has the standing figure of Victory holding a palm branch in her right hand and stretching out her left hand. The reverse shows a laurel wreath containing a four-line inscription THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914-1919. Ribbon is a double rainbow (indigo at edges and red in centre).

RHODES-MOOREHOUSE William Barnard

Lieutenant. 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

London Gazetted on 22 May 1915

Born on 26th September 1887 in London

Died on 27th April 1915 Merville, France.

Buried at his family home, Parnham House, Dorset; also a tribute at the Tangmere Air Museum,.